High Court jury trials in Scotland to restart in July

High Court trials in Scotland are due to restart in July after being suspended as a result of Coronavirus, it has been announced.

High Court rials will resume in July

The Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, who is leading a Working Group with representatives from across the justice sector, announced today the first trials will get underway in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

It comes after a major political row in March when the Scottish Government proposed temporarily axing jury trials in order to deal with a backlog of cases in Scotland’s court’s. It met with a backlash from MSPs in Parliament who branded it an attack on a cornerstone on Scotland's centuries old judicial system.

Lady Dorrian, who is Scotland's second most senior judge, said the challenges of holding 15-person jury trials in line with social distancing rules "cannot be underestimated."

"The Court facilities must be configured to ensure the safety of all those involved in the trial, including access for the public and for the media, whilst at the same time ensuring effective participation of all the main participants," she said.

“However, thanks to the constructive input of all those on the Working Group, we have identified the steps needed for the first trials to take place in Edinburgh and Glasgow in July."

It is anticipated that three courts will be used in the High Court in Glasgow, with the jury using the public gallery in the trial courtroom.

In Edinburgh, two courts will be used, allowing the jury to view the trial remotely from a separate courtroom.

Lady Dorrian added: "Nothing will take place until we have finalised the planning and can provide the assurance that it will be safe for all of those participating in the trial and that proceedings may be recommenced without significant risk to the administration of justice.”

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